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Sat May 17, 2008 9:55 am

Hey all, I have a VW beetle that has been sitting in our garage for a long time. It used to work a few years ago (like around 1995-ish) but it caught on fire and everything in the engine compartment that is flammable is ash now. We are able to get the ignition part working (if we hot wired it) but due to lack of lines that carry fuel and damaged electrical wires, it will not start. Do you guys have any idea on what are the main parts that need to be purchased? I have taken a lot of images of the beetle and the engine from different viewpoints. Also, one thing I cannot do is identify what type of beetle it is. The only thing I know is that its in the late 1960's early 1970's, and I don't know if its standard or super beetle! I have read that some VW autos have ID plates on them identifying the year, make, etc. Where would it be on the beetle? or can you tell by the photos? Speaking about the photos, you may notice that the nicest thing on the bug is the wheels, but hopefully in a few months that will change. My goal is to install a Baja Kit on it (even though i want this to be a road car, it still looks great). But first things first and thats getting the motor running. On http://www.mamotorworks.com they have multiple Engine rebuild/overhaul kits, would it be best for me to buy that? Do you guys know a website to get a good engine from? But I still cant buy anything as I don't know what year beetle I have. Anyway, Thank you guys for reading this far. Dont beat around the bush, is there any hope for this soon to be baja?

Updated stuff:
May 17, 08 - I found out that it is a standard and not a super, now to find what year!
May 17, 08 - Its a Standard Beetle, not super!
May 18, 08 - Not real centerlines.

Here are the pics:

You can tell where the fire was at!

The engine:

Inside my whip:

Outside:

Sat May 17, 2008 10:14 am

The 3rd digit of the VIN will tell you what year it is.

http://1800vw.bizhosting.com/year_model.htm

Sat May 17, 2008 10:18 am

When they burn, they burn good....

My brother's first was a '67 that caugh fire. We baja'd it and ran it for a few years. Stuck a type III engine in there with dual carbs. Looked pretty damn good for a zero dollar daily driver.

Funny,in my current car I have the same steering wheel and mine is missing the horn button as well. Yours is in better shape though....

People seem to think that it would be hard to drive the car with a <12" steering wheel, I think it is the opposite. It gives is a quicker feel to the steering as you are more apt to notice each timy movement.

Keep posting pictures and don't be suprised if your shortie ends up in the following thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=149769

Sat May 17, 2008 10:21 am

Are those real centerline rims? Overall the damage doesn't look that bad, I'd start by pulling the engine and seeing what it looks like. The fenders dont look bad either, looks like the decklid took the most damage, why baja it if it can be fixed?

Sat May 17, 2008 10:27 am

NerfSmurf wrote: Hey all, I have a VW beetle that has been sitting in our garage for a long time. It used to work a few years ago (like around 1995-ish) but it caught on fire and everything in the engine compartment that is flammable is ash now. We are able to get the ignition part working (if we hot wired it) but due to lack of lines that carry fuel and damaged electrical wires, it will not start. Do you guys have any idea on what are the main parts that need to be purchased? I have taken a lot of images of the beetle and the engine from different viewpoints. Also, one thing I cannot do is identify what type of beetle it is. The only thing I know is that its in the late 1960's early 1970's, and I don't know if its standard or super beetle! I have read that some VW autos have ID plates on them identifying the year, make, etc. Where would it be on the beetle? or can you tell by the photos? Speaking about the photos, you may notice that the nicest thing on the bug is the wheels, but hopefully in a few months that will change. My goal is to install a Baja Kit on it (even though i want this to be a road car, it still looks great). But first things first and thats getting the motor running. On http://www.mamotorworks.com they have multiple Engine rebuild/overhaul kits, would it be best for me to buy that? Do you guys know a website to get a good engine from? But I still cant buy anything as I don't know what year beetle I have. Anyway, Thank you guys for reading this far. Dont beat around the bush, is there any hope for this soon to be baja?
Updated stuff:
May 17, 08 - I found out that it is a standard and not a super, now to find what year!
Look at the registration, the model year is on it. :wink:

The quickest way to tell "about" what year a car is, is to look at the tail light. They year is printed on it. The same tail light may have been used for a few years, so this is just a guesstimate.

If you have the original 2 vent deck lid, high back seats, and single port motor, I would call it a 1970.

1969 didn't have vents in the deck lid, 1972 had 4 vents. 1971 had a dual port motor.

If your bug doesn't have it's original parts, you need to check the VIN#

http://www.lightner.net/ybdb/serno.html

Maybe you should just start with the VIN...

Super Beetle spare tires lay flat in the trunk...

Sat May 17, 2008 10:32 am

Yea, i just checked the ID on the instrument panel and found this!

So as the last poster said, its a 1970! Now I'm more confident when looking for parts!

Quote: Are those real centerline rims? Overall the damage doesn't look that bad, I'd start by pulling the engine and seeing what it looks like. The fenders dont look bad either, looks like the decklid took the most damage, why baja it if it can be fixed?

It will not see any offroad action, I just like the look of the Baja kit! The rims I have no idea what they are. The car was my aunts and she gave it to me. She does say that those rims are real (forgot what she said, had something to do with Porsche)

I really enjoy the feedback guys, keep it up! Im actually getting more motivated to do something with this! Thx!

Sat May 17, 2008 10:36 am

Based on the front turn signals and the rear deck lid, it's a 70. The tail lights don't look to be original. 70's tail lights have a reflector on the sides. They look to be off a 68 or 69.

John

Sat May 17, 2008 10:58 am

Yep its a 1970

Sat May 17, 2008 11:06 am

Bashr52 wrote: Are those real centerline rims? Overall the damage doesn't look that bad, I'd start by pulling the engine and seeing what it looks like. The fenders dont look bad either, looks like the decklid took the most damage, why baja it if it can be fixed?
Yeah, I wouldnt Baja that bug either. The '70 is one of the best bugs IMO.
I would get to work on it if you can...
Take off the engine out.
Fix your wiring harness in the engine compartment (simple)
Clean everything up back there, prime, paint.
Find a replacement engine.
Look for a replacement '70 decklid.

This would be a good and fairly easy project.

Sat May 17, 2008 11:15 am

Baja or not, the area below the window and above the decklid is going to be tough to clean up.

I'd pass on a car that had a fire... There are lots of other cars out there. VW made over a million 1970 Beetles. You are gonna dump alot into getting this one running. In the end you are still gonna have a burnt rear end. Sell it for parts. You have a few here interested in the tires alone. Are they real Centerlines?

Buy another bug, swap the good parts, and sell the rest. Every part down to the pan is worth something. If this ones been sitting in your shop since 1995, sounds like you have space to do it.

Price up the following and see if it's worth it...
Carb, engine wire harness, generator, coil, distributor, fuel pump.

You'll still need fuel lines (new hard line bushings to prevent engine fires), vacuum lines, heater hoses, spark plugs, wires, points, rear window rubber, and who knows what else...

All that spent, you are back to square one with a burnt rear end and what ever else it needed.

Are those real Centerlines?

Sat May 17, 2008 12:07 pm

Take a look at the rims, if they are real they will be stamped centerline on them. IF they are indead the real deal, DO NOT let the car go with those things on it (assuming you may end up getting rid of it). Authentic centerlines are hard to come by and worth their weight in gold. Those look in great shape too!

Sat May 17, 2008 12:47 pm

Make the car run and then start driving it around a bit before you do anything cosmetic to it. If you start cutting and modifying it before you get it running, you'll probably just lose interest and sell it as a collection of parts. You need the reward of driving it around to provide continuing motivation to work on it.

Look on Craigslist in your area for a running motor. Find a 69-73 someone is parting out because it's been hit in the front and take the motor and all the parts bolted to it including the wires.

Here's the search on craigslist:

http://houston.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=vw

Bookmark that link and then look at it everyday while you're removing the motor and cleaning up your car. Within a week or two you'll find a motor for under $300 with the stuff you need. $300 might be low, but $500 is certainly a top range for a running motor with the carb, generator, and distributer.

Once you get the motor in it, check the brakes all the way around. Take the drums off and check the pads and cylinders then repack the bearings. Also squirt a bunch of grease into the front beam.

I can't see it in the picture, but I bet the wires to the rear tail lights are also burnt. If you know about wiring, that's a simple repair.

That looks like a fun project and will be a fun car to drive.

Terry

One last note - if this sounds beyond you, then this car is not a good project for you. None of this stuff is hard to do, it just seems overwhelming if you're not comfortable wrenching on a car.

Sat May 17, 2008 3:16 pm

ope these pictures help you tell if your centerlines are real. its hard to tell but it looks like centerline caps to me. if they are then you have centerline auto drag rims. I have them on my bug and they are the BEST. they are the lightest rims i have ever had. And if you have the time...not that i have lately...they will polish up to be a mirror. If they are real dont sell them with the car...if you dont keep it. PS Dont baja it. it would be much better for you to get it running and sell it then buy one already all cut up...just my 2cents

Sun May 18, 2008 8:42 am

Sadly, the caps have "Progressive Custom (something... I forgot)" So im guessing that they are good knock offs....

Anyway, im deciding to not baja it, but buy new decklid. Im going to keep an eye on craigslist for a good cheap engine maybe.

Anyone have a guide to point out where the bolts are holding this thing (engine) in place?

Sun May 18, 2008 10:13 am

NerfSmurf wrote: Sadly, the caps have "Progressive Custom (something... I forgot)" So im guessing that they are good knock offs....

Anyway, im deciding to not baja it, but buy new decklid. Im going to keep an eye on craigslist for a good cheap engine maybe.

Anyone have a guide to point out where the bolts are holding this thing (engine) in place?

There are only 4 bolts holding it to the trans. Jack the rear as high as you can, because the you need to drop the engine to get it out. Take off the gas line, accelerator cable, heat exchangers, and the wiring to the alternator, coil, oil sender... It's not hard, but find some info and pics before you try. Pick up a shop manual. Let us know how it works out!

Sun May 18, 2008 10:30 am

That appears to be a lot of work, but I see no reason to throw the car to a salvage yard. I tend not to be so quick on dismissing a car and calling it too far gone.

After spending several months looking at rusted out crap that people wanted 2k for, I've learn to not be so quick to toss out a car that is basically solid.

Sun May 18, 2008 11:35 am

Even that engine can be repaired. I bet the case and heads are still OK.
It will need new engine tin, and a rear deck lid. Sand blasting will clean up a lot of the fire damage inside the air intake.
Some California people give up too soon on cars.
I have a fire damaged car here, but the only reason it wasn't fixed is because it had extensive rust before the fire.
Another reason to not have a plastic fuel filter in the engine compartment.

Sun May 18, 2008 12:17 pm

Russ Wolfe wrote: Even that engine can be repaired. I bet the case and heads are still OK.
It will need new engine tin, and a rear deck lid. Sand blasting will clean up a lot of the fire damage inside the air intake.
Some California people give up too soon on cars.
I have a fire damaged car here, but the only reason it wasn't fixed is because it had extensive rust before the fire.
Another reason to not have a plastic fuel filter in the engine compartment.

My engine looked similar to that before i cleaned out the ash and other burned up stuff. I don't think ill be able to remove the engine, well not now, ill have to read up on the proper way to remove the engine, i don't believe that i have the right tools either. I may need those things that you put under the car after you lift it, to keep it up. How would I drop the engine?

Sun May 18, 2008 1:46 pm

Put a floor jack under the engine, and jack it up so it is just touching the oil drain plate. Now unbolt the engine, remove the rear engine tin, and simply slide the floor jack backward with the engine balancing on it. You can now jack up the car and pull the engine out from under it.

Chances are that the centercaps on those rims are indeed aftermarket ones, the rims will be stamped however if they are the real deal.

Sun May 18, 2008 10:09 pm

This project will give me something to do over the summer. ANyone have any Ideas on cleaning some of the parts? Im thinking about using soda, but is it real effective, or would just buying some "rust b gone" spray be better? I went to barnes and noble to see if i can find a book withan exploded view of the engine, but no luck, not even anything VW related. Autozone used to sell those books specifically for the beetle a few years ago, but i doubt they still have it. I want to begin work on the engine but its super crowded in my garage and the garage door is super hard to open, maybe i should get that fixed first, lol.